Turning the state around an elusive goal

GAYLORD — The state legislators who met with Northern Michigan home builders association members said that in order to move the state’s economy forward, everyone needs to get involved.

During the “Region I Housing Industry Summit,” sponsored by the Michigan Association of Home Builders Monday at the University Center in Gaylord, Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer, R-Bellaire, Rep. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, and Gary McDowell, D-Rudyard, were asked if people were pulling together to make changes to get Michigan’s economy moving in the right direction again.

“People need to come together to work for the good of the state,” McDowell responded. “It is time to come together. People have a lot of good ideas. We need to find common ground and work together toward it. We have good workers, the Great Lakes — we are our own worst enemy at this time.

“Michigan is a great place to come to. It’s a great place to live, work, retire, raise a family,” he continued. “But we have to take care of business, education, public safety. Michigan is turning around, but it will be awhile.”

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Casperson said that he has found the public debate conspicuously absent much of the time on many issues. He used the example during the budget process last fall when it came to school funding.

He added that he believes that participation is key to moving Michigan forward.

“I’m more and more convinced that people need to get involved,” he commented. “In the political process, we are bidding for support. You need to let your voice be heard to make changes.”

“This state is in severe crisis and the rest of the country is going toward recession,” Elsenheimer said. “We need to pull together and gather our different philosophies toward a prosperous state and growing economy.

“There are passionate ideas out there, but I don’t want them to cost taxpayers more money,” he went on. “But I’m not going to sit on my hands. Is this a time for leaders to stand up and lead? I have great faith in the governor (Jennifer Granholm). She has the ability to make changes.”